The weekend days seem to be so enjoyed by Parisians - they fill the streets with lovers, companionable couples, families, roller bladers, lots of strollers pushed by proud parents. The pace is of course much slower than the week day - the French seem to really take a break - hummm ...do we?
We got ourselves organized in the am and actually figured out - ever so slightly - the washer/dryer - alas it takes forever and the cycle had finished but after 15 minutes figuring out how to start the cycle at the end (1 hour later) I infact added a little more water vs opening up the washer/dryer - there by of course defeating the dryer part...oh well. We then put a new load in and left hoping for the best.
After a lovely lunch - here lunch is cheap but as quick as you want - you can linger over your coffee and people watch - we did however have a mssion - Up Blvd Sebastopol we went - toward the Hotel de Ville (City Hall) where there is an outdoor rink and ferris wheel and kids sliding down the slides - lots of fun to watch - the weather is perfect for wandering - crisp and bright - a hat, gloves and nice coat makes for a perfect temperature.
We continued down to Notre Dame and toured around inside - quite crowded of course - but lit some candles and enjoyed the music.
Along the Seine for a block we found an artist who did beautiful water color and enjoyed talking to him - we crossed over into St. Germaine and onward to the latin quarter - shops, people, cafe's, ice cream, impromptu bands - it was a lot of fun. We took a coffee break and laugh at the tiny tables all crammed together - it is an international experience as you attempt to exit or leave your table - conversations flow with your partner but also table to table as required since we are "smell your perfume" close to each other.
We found a few gifts we wanted to bring home but mostly took lots of pictures, trying to capture the street scenes before we head home on Tuesday.
We crossed back across Pont Neuf in the twilight and got great views of the city profile - then we noticed people turning around and did the same - the Eiffel Tower lit up in the distance and the twinkle lights were illuminating the sky.
We continued our way home and noticed many police and vans of police on Blvd Sebastopol - we made it back to Rambuteau and purchased our dinner meal to take upstairs when there was a huge commotion - some kind of parade! Hence the police for crowd control perhaps - not sure why the parade - we enjoyed the dancing and drumming for a while but very crowded so we headed up.
A full day of wandering, in fact six and a half hours of wandering - it was great to put our feet up!
We looked at our pictures then off to bed!
PS: that second load of laundry was quite wet - obviously we had not figured out the dryer part - so we stretched things over surfaces and figured we would dry them the old fashioned way!
3 comments:
I am glad that you girls are having such a “NICE” time. Couldn’t figure out the washer/dryer, really that’s your story. Was that before or after “Wine is also very inexpensive here.”
I am sorry for you that the vacation is coming to an end. However I am selfishly glad Dixie will be home soon. I am almost out of clean shirts and I do not think I have ever seen the house as messy as she has let it get in the last few days. Oh and the plants aren’t looking as green as they usually do. What’s up with that?
Karen, thank you for the blog updates. Most of them match the other reports I was getting of your two’s activities. Also thanks for keeping Dixie out of the American Consulate. After the last time, they told us they did not want to see Dixie or I there again. Long story, don’t ask.
Dixie, I am looking forward to having you home. I will see you at the airport tomorrow night.
Karen and Dixie, from the comments, it appears that you travels have a little following, besides your parole officers of course.
The following message is from Cindy S. She is a little shy of the internet. Just kidding Cindy. I mean about here being shy of the internet, not the message being from her. The message is from her, well I am writing it, but the verbage is hers.
Dixie and Karen,
I've loved reading your antics and viewing the pics (taken with the camera ron gave Dixie, and that she loves!), so glad you are having a fantastic time, and anxious to see Dixie and hear the stories firsthand.
Cheers,
Cindy S.
WELL, I KNOW IT WILL BE TOUGH TO LEAVE, BUT THINK OF ALL YOU BOTH HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO WHEN YOU GET HOME...THINGS ARE GOOD HERE IN THE STATES AND THE WX HAS BEEN WONDERFUL...IT WAS 82 DEGREES HERE YESTERDAY, AND THE UPPER 70's TODAY...K AND I ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO LISTENING TO ALL YOUR ADVENTURES, AND OF COURSE THE PICTURES...DAD AND K LOVE YOU...HI TO KAREN.........CHEERS!!!
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